Bill Summary
This resolution authorizes the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation to make expenditures, employ personnel, and use the services of other government departments or agencies. It also outlines the expenses for the committee for different time periods and allows for the committee to use the Senate's contingent fund for certain expenses without vouchers. Finally, the resolution authorizes the appropriations account for "Expenses of Inquiries and Investigations" to pay for agency contributions related to the compensation of committee employees for specific time periods.
Possible Impacts
1. Limitations on funds for training and procurement of services could affect the hiring and training of new personnel for the committee, potentially hindering their ability to carry out their duties effectively.
2. The requirement for prior consent from government departments or agencies could delay or complicate the committee's ability to use their services and resources, potentially slowing down the progress of investigations and hearings.
3. The absence of voucher requirements for certain expenses could lead to potential misuse of funds or lack of accountability.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 82 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 82
Authorizing expenditures by the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 19, 2025
Mr. Cruz, from the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
reported the following original resolution; which was referred to the
Committee on Rules and Administration
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Authorizing expenditures by the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
Resolved,
SECTION 1. GENERAL AUTHORITY.
In carrying out its powers, duties, and functions under the
Standing Rules of the Senate, in accordance with its jurisdiction under
rule XXV of the Standing Rules of the Senate, including holding
hearings, reporting such hearings, and making investigations as
authorized by paragraphs 1 and 8 of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of
the Senate, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (in
this resolution referred to as the ``committee'') is authorized from
March 1, 2025, through February 28, 2027, in its discretion, to--
(1) make expenditures from the contingent fund of the
Senate;
(2) employ personnel; and
(3) with the prior consent of the Government department or
agency concerned and the Committee on Rules and Administration,
use on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis the services of
personnel of any such department or agency.
SEC. 2. EXPENSES.
(a) Expenses for Period Ending September 30, 2025.--The expenses of
the committee for the period March 1, 2025, through September 30, 2025,
under this resolution shall not exceed $6,259,693, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $100,000 may be expended for the
procurement of the services of individual consultants, or
organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 4301(i))); and
(2) not to exceed $100,000 may be expended for the training
of the professional staff of the committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
(b) Expenses for Fiscal Year 2026 Period.--The expenses of the
committee for the period October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026,
under this resolution shall not exceed $10,730,903, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $100,000 may be expended for the
procurement of the services of individual consultants, or
organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 4301(i))); and
(2) not to exceed $100,000 may be expended for the training
of the professional staff of the committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
(c) Expenses for Period Ending February 28, 2027.--The expenses of
the committee for the period October 1, 2026, through February 28,
2027, under this resolution shall not exceed $4,471,210, of which
amount--
(1) not to exceed $100,000 may be expended for the
procurement of the services of individual consultants, or
organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 4301(i))); and
(2) not to exceed $100,000 may be expended for the training
of the professional staff of the committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
SEC. 3. EXPENSES AND AGENCY CONTRIBUTIONS.
(a) Expenses of the Committee.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2),
expenses of the committee under this resolution shall be paid
from the contingent fund of the Senate upon vouchers approved
by the chairman of the committee.
(2) Vouchers not required.--Vouchers shall not be required
for--
(A) the disbursement of salaries of employees paid
at an annual rate;
(B) the payment of telecommunications provided by
the Office of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper;
(C) the payment of stationery supplies purchased
through the Keeper of the Stationery;
(D) payments to the Postmaster of the Senate;
(E) the payment of metered charges on copying
equipment provided by the Office of the Sergeant at
Arms and Doorkeeper;
(F) the payment of Senate Recording and
Photographic Services; or
(G) the payment of franked and mass mail costs by
the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper.
(b) Agency Contributions.--There are authorized to be paid from the
appropriations account for ``Expenses of Inquiries and Investigations''
of the Senate such sums as may be necessary for agency contributions
related to the compensation of employees of the committee--
(1) for the period March 1, 2025, through September 30,
2025;
(2) for the period October 1, 2025, through September 30,
2026; and
(3) for the period October 1, 2026, through February 28,
2027.
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